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HB 124

Assault and battery; adds district court temporary recall judge, penalty.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Atoosa Reaser

Virginia bill creates district court temporary recall judge position and modifies assault and battery criminal penalties to address judicial capacity and case processing.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB124)
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Bill Summary · HB 124

Legislative bill overview

HB 124 modifies Virginia's assault and battery statutes and establishes a new position for a district court temporary recall judge. The bill appears to address both criminal penalties for assault/battery offenses and judicial staffing needs in district courts, though specific penalty changes are not detailed in the available action items.

Why is this important

Assault and battery are common criminal charges affecting public safety policy and court caseloads. Adding recall judge capacity directly impacts case processing times and judicial efficiency in district courts, which handle thousands of these cases annually. Changes to penalties could shift sentencing practices across the state's lower courts.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty severity: Whether assault/battery penalties are being increased or decreased, affecting both victim advocacy groups and criminal justice reform advocates
  • Judicial costs: The fiscal impact statement suggests budgetary implications for adding a recall judge position that legislators will debate
  • Scope and definitions: Whether the bill clarifies or expands what constitutes assault/battery, affecting charging and prosecution practices

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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